Saturday, October 25, 2008

The publicist for Jennifer Hudson has confirmed that the singer's mother and brother are dead after a fatal shooting in Chicago.

"We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson," Hudson's personal publicist, Lisa Kasteler, said in a statement. "No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."

TMZ first reported that law enforcement sources and neighbors said that Hudson's mother and brother were the victims of a double shooting.

Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said the deaths appeared to be the result of domestic abuse.